Update / Follow-up on the news
A controversial daytime curfew will go into effect here on Nov. 20.
City Council members gave their second, final approval to the plan with a 3-2 vote at their Tuesday meeting, despite continued protests from some residents and home-school advocates across the county.
The ordinance means that youths 6 to 18 years old may be cited by police with a ticket similar to a traffic citation if they are found on public property during school hours.
The student may be excused for one of several valid reasons, such as a doctor’s appointment, but those must be cleared with the school.
Fines would range from $100 for a student on a first truancy offense to $250 for a third instance. Parents also face a range of fines if they allow their children to miss school without a valid reason.
The courts may allow the family to perform community service or attend parenting classes in place of the fine.
Opponents to the measure have argued that it violates the civil liberties of children and their parents and could cause youngsters to fear police.
But supporters said it is a proven method to curb crime because youths who are frequently truant often become involved with criminal activity.
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